Artwork

Shepherd with Four Goats (Les quatre chèvres)

Shepherd with Four Goats (Les quatre chèvres), by Claude Lorrain, ink, 1632
Shepherd with Four Goats (Les quatre chèvres), by Claude Lorrain, ink, 1632

Shepherd with Four Goats (Les quatre chèvres) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Claude Lorrain. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Claude Lorrain's 'Shepherd with Four Goats (Les quatre chèvres)' is an etching on laid paper, created around 1632. It exemplifies the artist's focus on landscape, characteristic of his work as a French Baroque artist active in Italy.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a serene pastoral scene: a shepherd with a staff stands among four goats, set against a backdrop of tall trees and a simple wooden fence. The modest human presence frames the natural world, elevating the landscape.

Technique & Style

Fine lines create texture, particularly in the trees and grass, showcasing the detailed linework typical of etchings. The artist achieved this by carving into a metal plate, a technique characteristic of the medium.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Claude Lorrain

Artist

Claude Lorrain

Claude Lorrain (French: ; born Claude Gellée , called le Lorrain in French; traditionally just Claude in English; c.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.